Elevator system



May 12, 1925. 1,537,079

H. B. GOLDMAN ELEVATOR SYSTEM Filed May 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 12, 1925. 1,537,079

H. B. GOLDMAN ELEVATOR SYSTEM Filejd May 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwoentm 36am B.(joldman Patented May 12, 1925.

UNITED STATES I 1,537,079 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY BENJAMIN GO'LDMAN, or 'rr'r'rssuaen, PENNSYLVANIA, assionon or oun- HALF T MARSHALL BROTHERS 00., or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A con- POR-ATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELEVATOR SYSTEM.

Application filed May 26, 1923. Serial no. 641,727.

Y '0 all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, Hannr B. GoLm'L-m, a citizen of the United States; residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful lin iroveinents in Elevator Systems. of which the following is a specification. I I

'My invention relates. broadly to elevators, and more particularlyto an automatic system for insuringv the leveling of the elevator platform with the plane of the floor surface of each story of a building throughout the height of the elevator hatchway.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide av control circuit tor an elevator by which the automatic leveling device insures the stopping of the car with its platform level with the plane of the floor area adjacent the hatchway.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control circuit in an elevator system whereby the automatic leveling device is operative only whentlie elevator controller is in the position of slow speed, at which time the elevator is normally retarding accelerz'ition and tending to seek a position of rest, while the leveling device is inoperative when the elevator is in intermediate or other speedsup to hiith speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit arrangement for a leveling device operatii' e independent of the opened and closed position of the elevator doors so that the elevator platform remains level with a floor under varyingconditions of load which may occur with the running of heavy tonnage trucks onor off of the ele vator platform with the elevator doors wide open. v

A further object of the invention is to provide independent up and down leveling devices and separate circuit arrangements whereby up and down cams adjustably mounted on the side of the hatchway cooperate with the leveling devices in such manner that if the car overruns the landing in the up direction, the down leveling); device cooperates with the down cam. running the elevator down levelwith the floor. and conversely. it' the elevator has gone below the floor the up leveling device cooperates with the up cam. thereby bringing the car up level with the floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elevator controller which may be positioned at the will of the operator of the elevator to control the n'lovement of the car manually with automatic control circuits auxiliary to the controller to automatically level the car within a given Zone at a floor landing independent of the elevator controller.

@tlier and further objects of my invention will be understood from the following specification by reference to the acconnmnying drawings. In Fig. 1 is a schematic or across the line wiring diagram of a single speed elevator equipment with slow down and dynamic braking showing the electrical connections for my automatic leveling device. The leveling device has been shown in perspective view to more clearly set forth the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the leveling device shown partly in section and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the leveling device with parts broken away.

The specific construction oi my automatic leveling device is the subject matter of my copending application Serial N umber 6-H,- 726, filed May 26, 1923.

My leveling system is adapted for installation on various types of elevators. The application of the leveling- 'ystem will be considered in connection 'ith a direct current elevator control with the elevator equip ment, including panel board, located at the top of a hatchway with the elevator operative up and down the hatchway by movement of the elevator controller within the car.

Fin. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic show-- ing of a direct current elevator control circuit used to illustrate the operation of my leveling device. lhe elevator controller is represented at GO'with control handle 61 arrying rotatable switch blade 62 with contact faces 63 and 641T cooperating with contacts within the controller. The leveling: device l l has been represented in mrspective view in Fig. 'l cooperating: with adjustable cams G and 7 supported on a vertical angle iron 5 on the side of the hatchway. The control apparatus which is normally positioned on the elevator control panel at the top of the hatchway adjacent the elevatinu' mechanism has been reduced to a simplified clemental form vtor clarifying the description and each of the controls represented by a reference character ashereinafter described. The terminals-of the system are represented at L and L 5 Vv ith the elevator in the condition of rest,

the up circuit may be traced from connection 65 on L through the interlock on the accelerating unit marked AR," with shunting resistance 86 through the fuse 66, through the overspeed governor switch 67 with terminals X and X through the final limit switch Up indicated at 68 with terminals X andv X' ,.tlirough the final limit switch Down indicated at 69 with ter minals X and X through the car safety switch 70 with terminals X and X through FE at 71, m anets U? and U of reversing switch 72 through the stop switch Up in- 'dicated at 20, to the switch contact 2 on the elevator controller 60. A tap is taken oil 73 to the Up leveling switch contacts connected by wires 29 and 30, then through the emergency leveling switch 74L through the final limit Down 75, having terminals N and N through final limit Up 76, having terminalsh andN through the fuse 7 7 to the opposite terminal of the system L In following this circuit it will be seen that the Up leveling switch 25 is open and that the controller 61 is in stop position, so thatit is not possible for the circuit from L to L to be completed until the Up leveling switch 25 is depressed when the elevator is in the leveling Zone and when the wheel 10 on the Up switch25 would rest on the Up cam 7. Tlhis would only occur if the.

elevator were below the floor level.

The leveling apparatus is contained within cabinet 14- supported by an angular bracket 12 on the elevator in. such aposition that the down roller 9 will contact with the down cam 6 and the up roller 10 will contact with the up cam 7, the cams being secured on angle iron 5 which runs along the vertical height of the hatchway. The roller 9 is supported on switch arm 43 to cause contact L6 to close leaf spring contacts automatically controlling the down elevator circuit through wires i? r and 48, each of which con nect to separate leaf spring contacts which are shorted'by the switch contact 46. The up roller 10 is carried by the switch arm cooperating with the switch 25 with contact 28 at its extremity'and adapted to be forced between contacts closing a circuit between wires 29 and 80 which connect to the separate contact-s controlling the up elevator circuit. V Theleveling magnet 53 or slow speed interlock is connected in the circuit by means of wires 58 and the armature of this magnet has an extended arm arrangement to close the circuit between leaf springs to which wires 88 and 89 are connected, so that when the car is in intermediate or high speed the leveling device will be pulled back the cams 6 and 7.

about )ivot 17 out of ali nment with the cams.

Reference will now be had to the Down circuit: lVith the elevator in the condition of rest the Down circuit may be traced from connectionon L through the inter lock on the accelerating unit marked AR with shunting resistance 86 through the fuse 66, through the overspeed governor switch 67 with terminals X ant X through the final limit switch Up 68 with terminals X and X through the final limit switch Down 69 with terminals X and K through the car safety switch 70 with terminals X and X. through FE at 71 through the reversing switch magnets D the fuse 7 7 to the opposite side of the system 7 at L This circuit with the car at rest as illustrated is also open and, nothing will happen unless the down leveling switch a3 is depressed by roller 9 resting on the down cam 6, which would occur were the elevator above the floor.

Now starting from Lflthrough wire 85,

to the wire which goes to the interlocks 8% on the bottom of the reverse switch, it will be noted that these interlocks are normally open when the elevator is at rest, and since there is an interlock on the bottom of each reverse switch, either one or the other re verse switch must be clomdin order to close the circuit from either one or the other of the interloc (S. The circuit continues through DB through wires 88 and 89 to the slow speed interlock contacts on the leveling device which are only closed when the leveling magnet 53 is energized and its armature 55 pulled back. 'An emergency high speed switch 87 is shunted across the slow speed interlock contact wires 88 and 89 on the leveling device. The circuit continues through the slow down switch Up i0 and slow down switch Down 40 to the car switch contacts 4 and 3 respectively which are open in the stop position of the elevator as illustrated. In thediagram with the elevator in the position of rest the circuits and contacts, interlocks, etc.- are broken in sevplaces to insure de-energization. or all circuits when the rollers 9 and 10 are between closes, thereby pulling back the leveling switches the slow speed interlock on the bottom of the leveling magnet cannot be closed; but at course, if the leveling magnet closes, the leveling switches cannot be op- The circuit arrangement is such that unless the leveling magnet 53 ice erated by the cams on the side of the hatchway. It is only in the closed position of the leveling magnet that the slow speed interlock can be closed, thereby operating the ele vator at high speed.

Considering the elevator at the first floor in a hatchway and that there are live floors and it is desired to travel to the third floor at full speed: In the diagram the up circuit can be traced from L through the fuse 77, the final limit switch Up 76 with terminals N? and N the final limit switch Down with terminals N and N through the door contacts 91 opened and closed according to corresponding positions of the door of the elevator, to the bridged car switch contacts and 81, then through the switch blade 62 having face contacts 63 and G l. The switch controller 61 is thrown in the dotted line Up position 83 and the circuit is completed through switch contact 2, the stop switch Up 20, windings U and U on reverse switch 72, through 71, 70, 69, GS, 67, 66, and the interlock on the accelerating uni-t AR to connection 65 on the line L. The circuit is also completed from L through 77, 76, 75, bridge switch contacts SO and 81 through the switch blade 62, switch contact LM through wires 53, the leveling device magnet 53, and to the left to wire 85, up this wire and over to con nection 65 on line L. This circuit causes the leveling device magnet 53 to be energized and throws the leveling switches back and closes the slow speed interlock through wires 88 and 89 on the leveling device.

A circuit is also completed from If tl'irough T7, T6, 75, 91, car switch contact 81, through the wiping contact Gl, switch contact 4-. through the slow down switch Up s ll which has been closed down through the slow speed interlock magnet on the leveling device, through wires 88 and 89, as aforesaid, through DB, through the Up interlock on the bottom of the reverse switch Set to conductor over to connection 65 on line L The DB magnet referred to is representative of a spring closed switch which instead of closing when the current is applied to its coil acts in the reverse order and opens, thus opening armature shunt slowdownresistance and by means of an interlock (not shown) causes AR magnet to be energized. thus bringing the motor up to normal speed.

The AR magnet referred to as energized with the switch in position 83 actuates the accelerating fingers on the controller which cut resistance out of the driving motor armature, thereby bringing the motor up to its normal speed.

The several instruments employed in this control circuit are mounted as usual upon the elevator control panel hen the first finger goes in on the accelerating unit the interlock on the accelerating unit marked AR opens, thereby inserting resistance represented at 86 in the circuit which includes 71, U and U 75, 76, and '77 over to the other side of line L The resistance 86 across the interlock on the accelerator unit is interposed to prevent the operation of either U, U and FE, or D, D and FE should the accelerating fingers not be in open position.

All of these circuits previously described have been energized by movement of the controller 61 in the position 83. The ele vator is now presumed to be going at full speed up the hatchway. lVhen the elevator reaches the third floor landing, the car switch is brought to the central position. In bringing the car switch to the central position 61, the first contact released is the LM finger in the car switch which de-energizes the leveling device magnet 53, thereby allowing the leveling switch arms controlling the switches 25 and l3 to go forward. The next contacts, or fingers released or disconnected, are the bridged fingers 80 and 81 and 2, which are disconnected simultaneously.

There is sutlicient space between the LM and 2 contact, as well as the TAP and 1 cont-act, to insure a sutlicienttime interval between the opening of the LM finger and 2 finger, to insure the leveling switch arms always being in the operating or extended position for they drop immediately to operative position under gravity action, before either 1 or 2 fingers are disconnec et. Furthermore, as soon as the leveling magnet is de-energized, the slow speed interlock on the leveling device is immediately open, thereby assuring that the elevator is always on slow speed when the leveling switches are in the operating position, or in other words, when the leveling switches might be resting on either the Up or Down 'am,

for the leveling operation is only necessary in the slow speed position when the elevator is normally retarding acceleration and seeking a position of rest.

7 Now, it the elevator has come exactly level with the floor, nothing happens be cause the leveling switch wheels 9 and 10 are in the depression between the two cams and all circuits are (lo-energized However, it' the car were to over-run the landing in the Up direction, the wheel 9 of the Down leveling switch would then rest on the Down cam 6 operating the down control circuit to automatically run the elevator down level with the floor, and conversely, if the elevator has become below the floor, the wheel 10 of the Up leveling switch would rest on the Up cam 7, operating the up control circuit automatically bringing the car up level with the floor.

In considering the up circuit, the connections between the contacts 81 and 2 are connected in shunt to the Up leveling switch so that it the elevator were going up on slow speed,- both leveling switches being out, the cams would be actuated in the following order :The Up switch would strike the Up cam, first run oft it, opening its circuit, and if the car still continued to travel up at the slow speed, the Down leveling switch 43 would be striking the Down cam, establishing its circuit to the Down? magnet, but nothing would happen here, because there is a mechanical interlock between the Up and Down switches, so that it the Up switch were in, as it is in this case, the Down directionswi'tch could not come in, due to the fact that the mechanical interlock would be holding it open. The mechanical interlock is a device placed between the Up and Down-direction switches, so arranged that wheneither switch is closed, it carries with it one-half of the'walking-beam mechanical interlock forcing the other end of the interlock out against the opposite switch, effectually preventing both switchesbeing in at the same time.

The circuit illustrated has been described asin a single speed slow downland dynannc braking elevator system. The'use of the term single speed as known in the art may be somewhat misleading inconsidering ,my description herein, but there is logical reasoning for this apparently misleading description. W ith the single speed elevator equipment, slow down is obtained by inserting resistance in the armature circuit of the normal single speed motor, so that while the motor is really a single speed motor,-

slow down can be obtained with this type of control, by means of inserting resistance in thearmature circuit and using an arm-a ture shunt resistance. With the two speed equipment, three speeds are really obtained because slow down can be secured by inserting resistance inthe armature circuit as well as strengthening the field of the motor in two or three steps or more, depending upon-the design of the motor. Motors of the two-speed type are motors which are designed for adjusting their speed'by means of field control, but not by inserting resistance in the armature and are known as adjustable speed motors. The single speed motor is one which has a set speed, and can only be reduced in speed by inserting resistance in the armature circuit and by means of an armatureshunting resistance or a combination of both.

Referring more particularly to the oper ation' of the leveling devices, when the car switch 61 is thrown into the up direction indicated by dot-ted line 83, first a circuit is completed through switch contacts 81 and 2, the current flowing through 20, U U 71, 70, 69, 68., 67, 66, through the interlock naeaove on the accelerating unit AR to connection on the line L. The elevator is now running up the hatchway on slow speed. Contacts 2 and 81 are the first contacts brie ged by the switch blade 62. The leveling devices are operative, for no current has been sent through the leveling device magnet 53 which will only occur when face 63 of switch blade 62 enters upon switch con tact LM.

The elevator will now be running up the hatchway slowly. lVhen it reaches the next floor the up leveling switch roller or wheel 10 will rest upon the up cam, thereby closing the contacts rocking back the leveling device on pivot 17and keeping the contacts closed even though car switch handle were 7 and Down cams when the circuit is clebrought to rest level energized and the car with the floor. I

However, should the car switch not be thrown to the oil position,"t-he first cam struck going up slowly, would be the Up cam, closing the contacts on the Up level- 7 ing switch holding them closed, and if the elevator continues on past'the depression be tween the cams, the Up leveling switch contacts would be open, and if. the elevator kept on traveling slowly, the roller on the Down leveling switch would then rest'or roll on the Down cam, thereby establishing a circuit from N through 74, down through'wire 4:8 to the center contacts, be

tween the Up and Down leveling switches, through the Down-contacts, wire 47 to contact 1, through 11, through D D through 71, 70, 69, 68, 67, 66, and the AR interlock to L thereby energizing D and D but since the car-is traveling up, U and U switches are in operative position, carrying with it the aforemen tioncd mechanical interlock, which eflectu' ally prevents the closing of D and l) switches, even though theircoils are energized at the same time as U and U However, if the car switch was returned to center 61 before the 'roller'o't the Down leveling switch were off theDown. cam, instantly D and D switches would close starting the elevator down until both wheels rested in the depression between the cams and the car came to rest.

, 71, 70, 69, 6S, 6?, 66, and the,

The down position of the controller is in dicated in dotted lines 90. The principle involved in the system when the elevator is traveling in a down direction and stopping at various floors, is the same as described for the up direction of travel, with the exception that the down roller is the first to engage with the down cam to bring the car level with a floor when both the up and down rollers 9 and 10 are between the up and down cams. Leveling contact LM is employed to control the energization of leveling magnet 53 when traveling in this direction.

lVhile I have described my invention in a certain illustrative embodiment, it will be understood that various changes may be made. In the circuit illustrated the door contacts 91 are placed in the manual controller circuits but not in the automatic leveling device circuits, so that the elevator is automatically leveled independent of the opened and closed position of the elevator doors. I intend no limitations upon my in vention other than those imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In an elevatonsystem, an elevator, an elevator controller, a plurality of control circuits arranged to be energized when said controller is moved to different positions, a plurality of separate leveling devices each separately electrically connected to said control circuits, door contacts adapted to be opened and closed in accordance wit-l1 corresponding positions oi the door of said elevator, said contacts being connected in series with said control circuits but independent of said leveling device circuits whereby said leveling devices remain operative independent of the position of said door contacts.

In an elevator system, the combination of a controller, a plurality of circuits. arranged to be energized when said controller is moved to various positions, a leveling device, and electromagnetic means whereby said leveling device is rendered inoperative when said controller is moved to certain of said positions and operative when said controller is moved to another of said positions and a separate circuit adapted to be closed when said leveling device is rendered inoperative.

3. In an elevator system, the combination of an elevator hatchway, cams mounted on said hatchway, a leveling device mounted on an elevator, switches pivotally mounted on said device and adapted to be operated by said cams, a circuit arrangement for controlling the operative and inoperative positions of said switches, and a separate electrical circuit adapted to be closed when said switches are moved to inoperative position.

4:. In a leveling system for elevators, the combination of a hatchway, an elevator operative in said hatchway, a controller in said elevator for operating said elevator at a plurality of speeds including slow speed, a plurality of pairs of cams on the side of said hatchway, a leveling device carried by said elevator adapted to cooperate with said pairs of cams, said leveling device comprising a pair of independently controlled switches, electrical means for preventing the cooperation of said leveling device with said c: ms when said elevator is operated at any speed greater than slow speed and mechanical means for causing said leveling device to cooperate with said cams only when operated at slow speed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HARRY BENJAMIN GOLDMAN. 

